Sun This Week reports...

The city of Apple Valley on July 9 joined a growing list of Minnesota cities that have enacted one-year moratoriums on new data center development.

The City Council approved the pause on proposals for data centers, which are large buildings that hold computer servers. The sites can range from several thousand up to 2.5 million square feet as currently under scrutiny in Farmington.

The cities of Eagan, Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights, Elk River and Minneapolis are among those enacting data center moratoriums similar to the Apple Valley ordinance.

Apple Valley’s data center debate included the City Council’s denial in March of a conditional use permit that could have accommodated a concept for up to five data center buildings with 1 million square feet.

The city says it needs the moratorium to study the planning, development and regulation of data centers. After the study is complete, staff will make recommendations on any new restrictions and/or new regulations.